Here we go again....

We visited Dr. Gatti at Children's Mercy again a few weeks ago. Kate continues to battle multiple and consecutive UTI's so it's now time to determine if there is anything anatomical contributing to it and to verify there's no reflux, again. After a renal scan, it was also determined her right kidney is still dilated (which may be her version of ",normal"). We have a VCUG scheduled for right after her 3rd birthday in a few weeks...she's been through this before, but she wasn't even a year old. It will be a painful experience no doubt.

After her surgery in Jan. of 2009 (1 year)

Her last VCUG at CMH-3 months old

One of her many renal scans.

Flashback Friday

...this past June after we spent most of the late morning in the basement after tornado sirens kept going off due to severe weather.

Ringing in 2011

I haven't a clue what 2011 has in store...but if it is anything like this past year, it's bound to be great!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011

Big shout out to my sister-in-law, Nataliya, who did my hair and make-up!

10 years later....

Our New Years Eve Celebration won't be freezing for 6 1/2 hours in the cold to watch the ball drop in Times Square (an amazing ONE TIME experience), but rather, a night at the Hyatt getting dressed up for a black tie affair, staying up really late, and probably the most exciting part...sleeping in.

Cheers!!!

Ear Piercing Deck the Halls

Christmas!

Jonathan driving on the country roads of Eudora, KS-Watch out farmers!

Making gingerbread houses with the extended family




Cousin Audrey helping Kate & Nick


The night before Christmas...and they wouldn't CALM DOWN!!!

Love my little rascals

Ah, we think* the children are asleep.

Thanks to my sister, we have some killer aprons

Christmas morning...Santa and Gaga/Grandpa were GOOD to them this year!

Jonathan set the table for Christmas dinner...then provided some rockin' entertainment.

Christmas with the Kazmaier's

Montessori Celebration of Life

I just love how birthday's are celebrated at Nick's Montessori. They call it the "Celebration of Life" and it's more than just singing "Happy Birthday" and having cake. This is Nick's second year experiencing the ceremony. The candle in the middle represents the sun and the months are placed all around. For each candle lit, the kids sing "The earth goes round the sun, the earth goes round the sun..." and Nick carries the earth while walking around the sun from December all the way back around to represent one year of his life....a great way to visually represent the concept of time. I then have the privilege of telling his classmates a few things about Nick during each year of his life beginning with his birth followed by Nick walking around showing them each a picture of himself from that year. Finally, the kids sang happy birthday and he blew out all the candles....and had cupcakes.

Happy Birthday, Nick. You are our sweet blue-eyed, dimpled, soft spoken angel. We love you SOOOOOOOOO much!

Our Union Station Holiday Tradition

Ahoy there matey! Captain Nick is FOUR!!!

Montessori Performance

Nick had another moment in the spotlight yesterday during his school program. He, along with 20 other little preschoolers, belted out the following songs (and adorably way off-key).

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Frosty the Snowman

Deck the Halls